77-YEAR-OLD RETIREE IS $1M POWERBALL WINNER

Oceanside 
A 77-year-old retiree on a fixed income has come forward with a winning Powerball ticket — worth more than $1 million — which she purchased at an Oceanside market, California Lottery officials announced Tuesday.

“It’s a blessing from the Lord. It really is,” Tessie Paiva said in a news release issued by lottery officials.

Paiva used the Quick Pick option. Her ticket matched five of the six numbers correctly — 19, 25, 29, 36 and 48 — only missing the Powerball number of 12 in the April 23 drawing. She came forward with her winning ticket on Friday.

Powerball is played in 43 states. A ticket in Florida matched all six numbers in the April 23 drawing, winning $150 million.

Paiva couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday, but in the news release she told officials she’s been living with termites, a sinking floor, and a leaking roof. “My kids have been trying to help, but they can’t afford it either,” she said.

She bought the $2 ticket at Mission Marketplace, off Mission Avenue near El Camino Real. She won $1,079,602, to be paid out in a lump sum.

“For the rest of my life, I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to be a burden to my family,” she told officials.

Paiva told lottery officials that she can assist her kids, and also plans to donate to her church.